Innovation & Technology

Middle School Innovation and Technology

Students in Middle School are provided a MacBook Air for use as one of their daily school supplies. Students use their laptop for a variety of productive and creative tasks. These devices allow for students to collaborate and communicate with peers and teachers. All students have access to powerful design and productivity tools including the entire Adobe Creative Suite, Google Drive, and a wealth of other online tools. Students access online content for their classes in the Dawson Portal.

6th Grade Innovation and Technology class:
In 6th grade, students will move beyond the skills and concepts they developed in Lower School and begin to work on more advanced projects. Students will explore some of the graphic design tools in Adobe Creative Suite. We will focus on utilizing Photoshop and Illustrator in the creative process. In addition, students will learn to code microcontrollers and incorporate them to create a wide array of products and projects. Advanced coding concepts will also be a focus utilizing both drag and drop blocks of code as well as text based coding environments. Students will continue working with 3D modeling programs with the introduction of some new challenges and software options to help them bring their creations to life.

7th and 8th Grade Innovation and Technology elective options include:
Foundations of Coding - Students learn to write code in JavaScript to solve problems and create interactive programs. They also build web pages and create visually dynamic graphics.

Maker Workshop - Maker Workshop is a project based class that gives Middle School students an opportunity to explore modern digital fabrication tools including 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, and coding by using these tools to solve a real world design challenge

All sixth through eighth grade students take part in technology based enrichment courses that focus on developing skills and provide a project based opportunity for students to learn and explore. These courses will teach students about digital communication, data visualization, and 3D modeling.

6th Grade Enrichment: Multimedia- In this class students are introduced to visual tools that can be applied across multiple academic subject areas. They will learn how to use a variety of applications including Adobe Creative Suite and several other web based programs that allow students to bring their ideas to life using sound, video, and graphic design.

7th Grade Enrichment: Working with Data - Students learn to capture, organize and analyze data. They will learn to communicate through collaboration and creation of data visualizations.

8th Grade Enrichment: 3D Modeling - Students learn to create 3D models using Onshape, a web-based CAD tool. The class teaches students the fundamentals of working in 3D space including creating relationship driven sketches and turning them into 3D elements using the extrude, revolve, loft tools.

In addition, there are a variety of co-curricular activities that give Middle School students opportunities to explore creative uses of technology. MS Innovation and Technology Co-curriculars include:
Engineering
Filmmaking
Digital Music

Upper School Innovation and Technology

Upper School students have opportunities to use a variety of technology tools across the curriculum. Members of the Innovation and Technology department work with teachers to identify and apply relevant tools within their courses. In addition, students have many Innovation and Technology elective options that teach students digital fabrication, electronics prototyping, 3d modeling, 2d design, a variety of programming courses, game design, filmmaking, and wearables. Beginning in 2021-22, there will be a new graduation distribution requirement where Upper School students must take a minimum of two semesters of Innovation and Technology courses. This will begin with 9th graders and eventually include all Upper School students.

In addition, there are many Upper School courses that heavily integrate Innovation and Technology into their curriculum. Some of these classes include: Digital Art, Digital Music, Physics and Design, Biotechnology

Upper School students are required to bring their own mobile device (tablet or laptop) to school each day. This gives students access to Dawson’s high-speed network, email accounts, and learning portal. US students will have access to all of the tools and technologies in the Innovation Center to design projects for their classes as well as opportunities to bring their ideas to life. Students can choose to take part in several additional programs including robotics, a paid internship with Anark, and the Distinction in Innovation program.

Current Upper School Innovation and Technology course offerings include:
AP Computer Science A (year-long course)
AP Computer Science Principles (year-long course)
App Development
Digital Fabrication
Film Making for a Purpose
Game Design
Idea Incubator
Inventing with Technology
Programming I (Python)
Wearables

AP Computer Science A

This class is a full-year exploration of programming ideas in which students will learn the basics of computer programming with Java. Students will learn programming techniques, from the foundation of simple tools to the logical organization and planning of large-scale programs. Students will learn about variables, functions, parameters, loops, conditional statements, and objects, and they will explore a variety of types of programs, including drawing shapes, making calculations, and creating interactive programs. In addition, students will have regular hands-on practice with concepts and problems that reflect the content of the AP Computer Science exam, which we will prepare them to take in May. Much of the class will involve in-class program creation and debugging. All students enrolled in the course must take the AP exam in May.

Prerequisites:

US programming class, department approval

Terms:

Full year

Eligible:

All Students
AP Computer Science Principles

Want to explore technology, but still feel new to coding? This course is for all students, even people who don’t (yet) consider themselves technology specialists. We all work with technology every day, but if we want to understand how it all works “underneath the hood” or how to solve problems when something goes wrong, this course fills in the gaps. This class will not limit you to just coding. You will have opportunities to work on projects that use a variety of modern technology tools. Students can craft their projects based on skills that they are most interested in developing.

During the first semester, we will explore hardware, the Internet, multimedia, security, programming, and web development. The second semester is about the art of programming, including how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. We will learn how to use various languages, and then apply them in problem sets that are inspired by the arts, humanities, social studies, sciences, or fabrication. The course culminates with both a performance task and a multiple choice AP Exam section relating to themes of computing innovation. Instead of completing a free-response exam section, students will submit digital artifacts to the College Board.
App Development

This class is a one-semester exploration of programming ideas in which students will learn about computer programming for iOS with Swift. Students will learn programming techniques from the foundation of simple tools to the logical organization and planning of free-standing applications (apps.) Students will use variables, functions, parameters, loops, conditional statements, and objects, and they will explore a variety of types of programs, including graphics, making calculations, and creating working systems of programs. Much of the class will involve individual time, working on program creation and debugging.

Students will use online course components to communicate about work that they do in each unit. They will review course curriculum and video presentations to describe the components that are used in each unit. Students will be expected to review these and post questions in the related discussions.
Digital Fabrication

In this hands-on, project-based course, students will learn and apply the design process to create functional end products using the digital fabrication tools available in the Dawson Center for Innovation. Over the course of the semester, students will receive a comprehensive orientation to the makerspace and wood and metal fabrication labs. This includes both CNC routers and the CNC Plasma cutter, as well as traditional wood and metal working tools. This course will develop students’ creative thinking, problem solving and collaborative skills through the design and fabrication of large professional pieces. At the end of the course, students will leave with finished projects, as well as a digital portfolio with all of their design work and photos of finished products.
Filmmaking for a Purpose: Creating Videos that Tell Stories, Inspire Others, and Change the World

Have you ever been inspired or positively affected by a video you saw online? Ever wanted to be on the other side of the camera telling stories that inspire others? In Filmmaking for a Purpose, students will become the storyteller to influence change in the world, using techniques developed and refined by Hollywood and Social Media in the last decade. Students will work through the processes of pre-production (developing stories, writing scripts), production (camera, lighting, and sound), and post-production (editing and distributing the film). We will produce short-form videos (short films and micro-documentaries) and brief-form videos (music videos, YouTube shorts, and Tik Tok videos) as we become familiar with the processes and techniques that go into creating a film.
Game Design

This class is a one-semester exploration of programming ideas in which students will learn to use game development software to create original content. They will learn programming techniques from the foundation of simple tools to the logical organization and planning of large-scale programs. Students use variables, functions, parameters, loops, conditional statements, and objects to create interactive games. Much of the class will involve in-class program creation and debugging.

To be eligible, students must have completed an upper school programming class or be approved by department faculty.
Idea Incubator

Students will identify challenges within their local communities (or beyond) that they have a vested interest in solving. Students will explore ways to address the identified problems and develop impactful solutions that can be prototyped in the Dawson Center for Innovation. Students will explore turning these ideas into entrepreneurial ventures designed to create viable solutions for the intended audience of their product or service. The teacher will serve as a coach and mentor guiding students towards refining their project scope, making progress on their projects, learning new skills, and navigating setbacks throughout the process. Students will develop skills in innovative problem solving, project planning, iterative design and feedback cycles, and building a pitch to share their work.

Prerequisite:

None

Term:

Spring

Eligible:

All Students
Inventing with Technology

Inventing with Technology gives students opportunities to solve real-world problems by design physical objects using modern technology tools including 3D modeling and printing, laser engraving and cutting, electronics, and coding. Projects will challenge the students to consider the defining characteristics of the challenge or problem and how their design decisions will impact their intended beneficiaries. Design Thinking concepts will guide the process that students will utilize in developing their product designs.
Programming I

This class is a one-semester exploration of programming ideas in which students will learn the basics of computer programming with Python. Students will learn programming techniques from the foundation of simple tools to the logical organization and planning of large-scale programs. Students will learn about variables, functions, parameters, loops, conditional statements, and objects, and they will explore a variety of types of programs, including drawing shapes, making calculations, and creating interactive programs. Much of the class will involve in-class program creation and debugging.
Programming II

This class is a one-semester exploration of programming ideas in which students will continue to learn about computer programming with a modern language. Students will learn programming techniques from the foundation of simple tools to the logical organization and planning of large-scale programs. Students will use variables, functions, parameters, loops, conditional statements, and objects, and they will explore a variety of types of programs, including drawing shapes, making calculations, and creating working systems of programs. Much of the class will involve individual time, working on program creation and debugging.

Students will use online course components to communicate about work that they do in each unit. They will review course curriculum and video presentations to describe the components that are used in each unit. Students will be expected to review these and post questions in the related discussions.
Wearables

Wearables is a one-semester course that allows students to learn to create wearable items that are augmented with technology. Wearable items include clothing, bags, shoes, or other accessories. Students will create wearable items from scratch, integrating traditional sewing, 3D modeling/printing, laser cutting, and electronics. Students will be able to use computer software and utilize a variety of tools available in the Innovation Center to help them design and create all of the components for their projects. Students will complete a series of small projects to learn foundational skills. Each student will use those skills to develop and construct a larger final wearable textile item.